Day Trips to the Beach from Herts

The soaring temperatures and hot weather in recent weeks have signalled that summer in the UK has well and truly begun, and with the hot weather, often comes the desire to get away from the city and enjoy Britain’s coastline and beaches.

Herts, Beds and Bucks are well situated for being able to quickly get to big cities like London, or out to the countryside hills in no time at all, however, in our landlocked counties, a trip to the coast whenever the mood takes you can prove to require a little more planning. Still, the coast is not too far away, so here are our recommendations for a few beaches which are easy to visit for the day when travelling from West Hertfordshire.

Southend on Sea, Essex

At 54 miles away, and a driving time of between an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half on average, Southend-on-Sea in Essex is actually one of the closest and easy to get to beaches from the West Herts area. Boasting sandy beaches and a pier, plus a “Golden Mile” of amusement arcades, Southend is often known as the “Blackpool of the South.” Southend also offers an “Adventure Island” amusement park with fairground rides and water slides, great for adults and kids alike, plus a Sea Life Aquarium Centre too. All you need for a great day out beside the Seaside!

Clacton, Frinton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

Staying on the Essex Coast, the beach towns of Clacton, Frinton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze are all in close proximity to each other and easily reachable within a two hour drive of Herts. Whilst Clacton offers a taste of the more traditional British sea-side town including a traditional Victorian pier and Sea-Front Gardens, Walton-on-the-Naze offers prime sandy beaches, the second longest pier in the UK and slightly less tourists than Clacton. Then there is Frinton-on-Sea, which remains less commercialised and apparently has an air of reserved gentility about it too!

Southwold, Suffolk

Norfolk’s more easterly neighbour Suffolk is a slightly longer drive at between 2-3 hours, but for those who love a taste of “St Albans by the sea”, the wonderful town of Southwold (of Grandpa in my Pocket fame for those with youngish children) is the perfect spot. Southwold offers a quintessentially British taste of the Seaside, with a sandy beach, lighthouse, beach-hut lined promenade, plus a small town of independent quirky designer and artsy shops. Definitely worth a wander around on a summer’s day especially!

Brighton, Sussex

Whilst Brighton, down in Sussex may not boast sandy beaches, it is a great get away for the day if you want to visit a beach city! Brighton is often described as a mini London by the sea and is a diverse, cultural city with a quirky artistic feel.  Offering a pebble beach, the Brighton Palace Pier and a Sea Life Centre, Brighton is a great day out for adults, but also kids who perhaps aren’t so lured by the thought of a beach where they can make sandcastles all day.

Bournemouth, Dorset

Now if you want somewhere to build Sand Castles then Bournemouth in Dorset definitely fits the bill! At about 120-miles, a two-hour journey away, did you know that Bournemouth Beach is over 11 miles long! This means that there is definitely enough room for everyone on Bournemouth beach, and with an array of pier amusements, Beach Hut Hire, outdoor pursuits and water sports available, Bournemouth is a great place to visit for those who love the outdoor life!

So, whilst you may love the local area during the summer, if the lure to get away to the coast proves too much then hopefully some of these great beach options may appeal.

If you have any questions about living, buying, selling or renting property in the local area then we’re always happy to chat.